Coin controlled vending apparatus

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is coin controlled vending apparatus for use with a product dispensing machine. The apparatus includes structure defining first and second generally vertical slots for receiving coins of a first and second denomination respectively. A platform is located beneath the slots to support the coins inserted in the slots such that if two or more coins are inserted in the slot they will stack edge to edge one on top of another. The apparatus further includes structure defining a first guide extending generally horizontally from a point adjacent the first slot and structure defining second and third spaced guides extending generally horizontally from points adjacent the second slot. The end of each guide adjacent a slot is formed into a foot having a heel which coincides with the termination of the corresponding guide and a toe extending from the heel downward to a point beneath the corresponding guide. A coin feeler assembly is mounted to move in a plane parallel with the guides between a rest position and an operate position. The assembly includes first, second and third members positioned to move along paths contiguous with the first, second and third guides respectively as the assembly is moved. Each such member includes a hole into which a camming pin may be inserted with the hole positioned so that when a pin is inserted therein and the assembly is in the rest position, the pin extends within the heel of the foot of the corresponding guide. The first and second members are coupled together to move in unison when either is moved. The coin feeler assembly is placed in a first configuration when camming pins are inserted in the holes of the first and second members. When in this configuration, the coin feeler assembly is movable from the rest position to the operate position only if (a) a coin is inserted in the first slot so that the camming pin inserted in the hole of the first member slides over the top of the coin and along the first guide as the coin feeler assembly is moved, or (b) two coins are inserted in the second slot so that the camming pin inserted in the hole of the second member slides over the top of the topmost coin and along the second guide as the coin feeler assembly is moved. Otherwise, the camming pins are caused to move from the heel of the foot of a corresponding guide downwardly into the toe of the foot to prevent further movement of the coin feeler assembly. The dispensing mechanism is coupled to the coin feeler mechanism and is allowed to operate to dispense a product only when the coin feeler assembly is allowed to move to the operate position. The coin feeler assembly may be placed in other configurations by simply rearranging the camming pins in the holes to enable operation of the dispensing mechanism when various other coin combinations are inserted in the slots.

United States Patent Smith [451 Jan. 1, 1974 [541 COIN CONTROLLED VENDING APPARATUS [75] Inventor: John D. Smith, Medford, NJ.

[73] Assignee: Wellman Industries, Longview, Tex.

[22] Filed: June 23, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 265,613

Primary Examiner-Samuel F. Coleman Assistant Examiner-Joseph J. Rolla Attorney-Giles C. Clegg, Jr. et al.

[57] ABSTRACT Disclosed is coin controlled vending apparatus for use with a product dispensing machine. The apparatus includes structure defining first and second generally vertical slots for receiving coins of a first and second denomination respectively. A platform is located beneath the slots to support the coins inserted in the slots such that if two or more coins are inserted in the slot they will stack edge to edge one on top of another. The apparatus further includes structure defining a first guide extending generally horizontally from a point adjacent the first slot and structure defining second and third spaced guides extending generally horizontally from points adjacent the second slot. The end of each guide adjacent a slot is formed into a foot having a heel which coincides with the termination of the corresponding guide and a toe extending from the heel downward to a point beneath the corresponding guide. A coin feeler assembly is mounted to move in a plane parallel with the guides between a rest position and an operate position. The assembly includes first, second and third members positioned to move along paths contiguous with the first, second and third guides respectively as the assembly is moved. Each such member includes a hole into which a camming pin may be inserted with the hole positioned so that when a pin is inserted therein and the assembly is in the rest position, the pin extends within the heel of the foot of the corresponding guide. The first and second members are coupled together to move in unison when either is moved. The coin feeler assembly is placed in a first configuration when camming pins are inserted in the holes of the first and second members. When in this configuration, the coin feeler assembly is movable from the rest position to the operate position only if (a) a coin is inserted in the first slot so that the camming pin inserted in the hole of the first member slides over the top of the coin and along the first guide as the coin feeler assembly is moved, or (b) two coins are inserted in the second slot so that the camming pin inserted in the hole of the second member slides over the top of the topmost coin and along the second guide as the coin feeler assembly is moved. Otherwise, the camming pins are caused to move from the heel of the foot of a corresponding guide downwardly into the toe of the foot to prevent further movement of the coin feeler assembly. The dispensing mechanism is coupled to the coin feeler mechanism and is allowed to operate to dispense a product only when thecoin feeler assembly is allowed to move to the operate position. The coin feeler assembly may be placed in other configurations by simply rearranging the camming pins in the holes to enable operation of the dispensing mechanism when various other coin combinations are inserted in the slots.

4 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTEU 11974 SHEET E OF 3 FIG. 4

PATENTED 1 I374 SHEEI30F3 "FIG. 5

COIN CONTROLLED VENDING APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to coin controlled vending apparatus which may be adjusted to dispense a product when a plurality of different coin combinations are supplied to the apparatus.

There exists a variety of vending machines from which a customer can obtain a desired product by self-operation of the machine. The types of such machines range from simple mechanical versions to more elaborate electrically controlled versions. The object of all such machines, however, is to present a simple procedure by which a customer can obtain a desired product from the machine and at the same time to provide reliable operation and ease of maintenance. It is also desirable, of course, that the apparatus utilized for controlling the operation of the machine be simple in structure and inexpensive.

Because various products dispensed from vending machines may be priced differently, it is desirable to provide vending apparatus which, after simple adjustment, can accept different combinations of coins for dispensing a product. There exists machines with this capability, but such machines are typically quite complicated and costly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide versatile but inexpensive coin controlled venting apparatus.

It is another object of the present invention to pro vide apparatus which, by simple mechanical adjustment, can be altered to enable dispensing of products for various combinations of coins inserted in the apparatus.

These and other objects of the present invention are realized in a specific illustrative embodiment which in cludes a coin feeler assembly coupled to a dispensing mechanism and movable therewith between a rest position and an operate position. If the proper number and denomination of coins are inserted into two slots provided for receiving same, camming pins placed in the coin feeler assembly ride over the tops of the coins and along guides oriented generally parallel to the direction of movement of the coin feeler assembly to thereby allow the dispensing mechanism to be operated. If an improper combination of coins is placed in the slots, one or more of the camming pins inserted in the coin feeler assembly will engage a stop (because of the ab sence of a coin over which it may ride) and thereby prevent further movement of the coin feeler assembly and thus of the dispensing mechanism. By a simple rearrangement of camming pins in the coin feeler assembly, the apparatus can be altered to allow operation of the dispensing mechanism when different combinations of coins are inserted in the slots.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of coin controlled vending apparatus made in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of such apparatus;

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of one side of such apparatus;

FIG. 4 is an elevational view of the other side of such apparatus;

FIG. 5 is an elevational view of the side of the apparatus shown in an operate position; and

FIG. 6 is an end view of the apparatus taken along line AA of FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The apparatus of FIGS. l-6 includes structure for accumulating coins until either a product dispensing mechanism is operated or a coin return mechanism is operated. This structure includes a plate 4 having longitudinal grooves extending the full length of the plate on either side thereof (shown in FIGS. 2 and 35). The plate 4 is positioned so that the grooves therein are generally inclined to the vertical. The width and depth of each groove are sufficient to accommodate and allow coins of a certain predetermined denomination to slide therealong.

Side plates 8 and 12 are mounted on either side of the plate 4 and, together with the walls of the grooves of the plate 4, define slots 16 and 20 for receiving coins. Slot 16, for example, might be provided to receive dimes and slot 20 provided to receive nickels. The di' minsions of the slots are such that if two or more coins of the proper denomination are placed in a slot, the coins would stack edge to edge, one on top of another as shown, for example, in FIG. 3.

Coins of the proper denomination are supplied to the proper slot by a coin acceptor/rejector 24 (FIG. 1). The acceptor/rejector 24, which is standard equipment known in the art, rejects coins of improper denomination and accepts and supplies to the slots 16 and 20 coins of the proper denomination. To facilitate ease of transferring coins from the acceptor/rejector 24 to the slots 16 and 20, the outer walls of the plate 4, the plates 8 and 12, and the side walls of the grooves of the plate 4, all flare outwardly at near the top thereof to provide wedge-shaped openings to the slots 16 and 20. These wedge-shaped openings, of course, act as funnels to guide the coins dropping from the acceptor/rejector 24 to the slots.

The side plates 8 and 12 extend in a generally hori zontal direction some distance beyond one edge of the plate 4. The plate 8 has a slot or guide 28 extending from adjacent the slot 16 in the same generally horizontal direction (FIG. 4) to the end of the plate. The end of the guide 28 adjacent the slot 16 is formed to define a foot 29 having a heel 30 which coincides with the termination of the guide 28 and a toe 31 extending from the heel 30 downward to a point under the guide 28. This toe is used as a stop as will be described later. The plate 8 has a second guide 34 extending in the same direction as guide 28, but from a point near the edge of plate 4 rather than from adjacent the slot 16.

The plate 12 has three vertically spaced slots or guides 36, 40 and 44 extending in the same generally horizontal direction as the guides of plate 8. Each of the guides 36, 40 and 44 has a foot, similar to that of the guide 28, located adjacent the slot 20. The distances separating these guides will be discussed monentarily.

A plug or chunk 50 is secured between the plates 8 and 12, spaced from the plate 4 and below the bottom of the guides 28 and 36 (FIG. 3). The thickness of the chunk 50 is substantially the same as the thickness of plate 4. A platform 54 is located underneath the plates 4, 8 and 12 and is pivotally affixed to the chunk 50 by means of a bolt 55, a nut 56 and a washer 57. The plane of the platform 54 is generally perpendicular with the planes of the plates 8 and 12.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the platform 54 supports coins in the slots 16 and 20. The guide 28 is spaced above the platform 54 so that when a coin is inserted in the slot 16, the top of the coin is generally at the same level as the bottom of the guide 28 (FIG. 4). Similarly, when two coins are inserted in the slot 20, the top of the bottommost coin is generally at the same level as the bottom of the guide 36 and the top of the topmost coin is generally at the same level as the bottom of guide 40. The guide 44 is spaced above the platform 54 so that when three coins are inserted in the slot 20, the top of the topmost coin is at a level slightly lower than the level of the bottom of the guide 44. The reason for the given spacing of these guides will be described later.

Since slot 16 is designed to accommodate smaller coins than slot 20, the bottom of guide 28 is lower than the bottom of guide 36. The top of the guides 28 and 36, however, are at the same general level.

A coin feeler assembly generally designated by the numberal 70 is provided to control operation of a dispensing mechanism, only an arm 62 of which is shown in the drawings. The coin feeler assembly 70 is mounted (as will hereafter be described) to move between a rest position, shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, and an operate position, shown in FIG. 5. The assembly will be described assuming it is in the rest position.

The coin feeler assembly 70 includes a member 66 which is positioned adjacent the plate 8 and is pivotally mounted on a shaft 74 which extends through the guides 28 and 36. The member 66 includes two portions, one extending from the shaft 74 generally alongside the guide 28 to a point continguous with the foot 29 of the guide 28 and the other extending from the shaft 74 alongside the plate 8 in a direction away from the foot 29 and at an incline from the horizontal. The coin feeler assembly 70 further includes a member 68 which is positioned adjacent the plate 12 and is pivotally mounted on a shaft 76 which extends through the guides 34 and 44. The member 68 is a bar having a tapered width in which the end having the largest width is positioned generally contiguous with the feet of guides 40 and 44 and extends therefrom to a point beyond the pivotal axis of the member.

Those portions of members 66 and 68 which extend from the pivotal axis of the corresponding member and away from the foot of the corresponding guide are mechanically coupled by an inverted U-shaped bracket 78. The bracket 78 extends from one end of the member 66, where it is rotationally coupled thereto by a rivet 80, up and over the top of the plates 8 and 12, but out of contact therewith, and down to and a short distance below the end of the member 68 to which the bracket is rotationally coupled by a rivet 82. The bracket 78 is provided to cause members 66 and 68 to pivot in unison when either is pivoted. The reason for this will become apparent later. One end of a spring 84 is coupled to the end portion of the bracket 78 which extends below the rivet 82 and the other end of the spring is coupled to the member 68 at a point near the lower edge and approximately midway between the ends of the member 68. The spring 84 maintains a tension on the bracket 78 to urge proper operation of the coin feeler assembly 70 as will be described.

A member 72 of the coin feeler assembly is positioned adjacent the plate 12 and is pivotally mounted on the shaft 74 which extends through the guides 28 and 36. The member 72 extends from the shaft 74 alongside the guide 36 to a point generally contiguous the foot of the guide 36.

The coin feeler assembly 70 is caused to move from its rest position (as shown in FIG. 3, for example) to its operate position (shown in FIG. 5) by the arm 62 which is coupled to a dispensing mechanism not shown. The arm 62 is moved whenever the dispensing mechanism is operated, for example, by means of manual operation of a dispensing knob to thereby move the coin feeler assembly 70. For an exemplary movable dispensing mechanism, see my copending patent application, Ser. No. 249,313.

The arm 62 is mounted on both shafts 74 and 76 and extends downwardly from shaft 74 to the dispensing mechanism. Nuts 86 and 88 are screwed on to threaded ends of the shafts 76 and 74 respectively to secure the arm 62 to the shafts. Another nut and washer on each of the shafts 74 and 76, as shown in FIG. 2 for shaft 76, separate the arm 62 from the members 72 and 68 respectively. A bracket 90 is mounted on and extends between shafts 74 and 76 (FIG. 4). Nuts 92 and 94 are screwed onto threaded ends of the shafts 76 and 74 respectively to secure the bracket 90 to the shafts. Washers on the shaft 76 separate the bracket 90 from the plate 8 and washers on the shaft 74, between the bracket 90 and member 66 and between the member 66 and the plate 8, maintain a separation among the bracket 90, member 66 and plate 8.

Each of the members 66, 68 and 72 has a number of tapped holes through 112. The holes 100, 104, 106 and 1 10 are positioned contiguous with the heels of the feet of guides 36, 40, 44 and 28 respectively when the coin feeler assembly 70 is in the rest position. The holes 102, 108 and 112 are positioned contiguous with the guides 36, 44 and 28 respectively (but not the feet of the corresponding guides) when the coin feeler assembly is in the rest position. Camming pins or screws, such as those shown in FIG. 1 in holes 100 and 106, are screwed into various ones of the holes 100, 104, 106 and 110 to determine the coin combinations for which a product will be dispensed. When a camming screw is screwed into a hole, it extends within the heel of a corresponding guide and also within a lateral projection of one of the slots 16 or 20 contiguous with that heel (shown in FIGS. 3 and 4). Lateral extensions of the slots 16 and 20 also extend from the slots alongside a different one of the guides 36, 40, 44 and 28 to the end of the plate 4 to enable movement of a camming screw therealong. The various configurations for the screws and the operation of the coin feeler assembly 70 will now be described.

Assume that it is desired that a product be dispensed by the dispensing mechanism when either a dime or two nickels are inserted into the vending machine. For this combination of coins, camming screws are screwed into holes 102, 104 and 110. A screw is placed in hole 102 simply for storing" the screw and for preventing the member 72 from pivoting downwardly. The screw in the hole 102 extends within the guide 36 (and corresponding lateral extension of slot 20) and rests on the bottom of the guide to prevent downward pivoting of the memo'er 72. The screw placed in the hole 104 and the screw placed in the hole 110 extend within the heel of the foot of guides 40 and 28 respectively when the coin feeler assembly 70 is in the rest position. If a dime is supplied to slot 16, it would drop down the slot and come to rest on the platform 54 as shown by dotted lines in FIG. 4. In this position, the top of the dime is at the same level as the bottom of guide 28. Upon commencement of operation of the dispensing mechanism, the am 62, and thus the coin feeler mechanism 70, is moved in a direction away from the feet of the guides. During such movement, the camming screw inserted in the hole 110 slides over the top of the dime in the slot 16 and onto the bottom of the guide 28. Because the member 66 is coupled to the member 68 (by the bracket 78) to pivot in unison therewith, the member 68 is prevented from pivoting downward and the screw inserted in the hole 104 is thus prevented from moving into the toe of the foot of the guide 40. Once the screws are moved onto the bottom of a corresponding guide out of the foot of the guide, there is nothing to prevent the completion of movement of the coin feeler assembly 70 to the operate position and thus of operation of the dispensing mechanism.

If two nickels are supplied to slot 20 (as indicated by dotted lines representing two bottommost nickels in slot 20 in FIG. 3), operation of the dispensing mechanism would cause the coin feeler assembly 70 to move so that the screw inserted in the hole 104 would slide over the top of the second nickel and onto the bottom of the guide 40. Because of the coupling of members 68 and 66, the screw inserted in the hole 110 would be prevented from moving into the toe 31 of the foot 29 of the guide 28. Again, the coin feeler assembly 70 would be allowed to move to its operate position, in turn, enabling the completion of operation of the dispensing mechanism. If only a single nickel were inserted in slot 20, upon commencement of operation of the dispensing mechanism, the screws in the holes 104 and 110 would slide along the bottom of the feet of guides 40 and 28 respectively into the toes of such feet, which toes define stops. This occurs because of the weight of the portions of the members 68 and 66 contiguous with the slots which causes these portions to pivot downwardly assisted by spring 84 as the screws in the holes 104 and 110 slide downwardly toward the toes of the feet of guides 40 and 28. When the screws in the holes 104 and 110 reach the end of the corresponding toe, further movement of the coin feeler assembly 70, and thus of the arm 62 of the dispensing mechanism, is prevented. The dispensing mechanism is thus prevented from completing its operation and no product would be dispensed. In the manner described, the coin feeler assembly 70 either enables or prevents operation of the dispensing mechanism depending upon the combination of coins inserted in the slots 16 and 20. I

Now assume that it is desired that a product be dispensed only when a nickel is inserted into the vending machine. To accommodate this vending price, screws are screwed into holes 100, 108 and 112. The screws in holes 108 and 112 prevent members 68 and 66 re spectively from pivoting downwardly. The screw in the hole 100 either enables or prevents operation of the dispensing mechanism depending upon whether a nickel is present or is not present in the slot 20. If a nickel is present in the slot, the screw in the hole 100 rides over the top of the nickel and onto the bottom of the guide 36 as the coin feeler assembly is moved to the right in FIG. 3. If no nickel is present in the slot 20 when operation of the dispensing mechanism is commenced, then the screw in the hole 100 slides along the bottom of the foot of the guide 36 and into the toe thereof to prevent completion of operation of the dis pensing mechanism.

Finally, assume that it is desired that a product be dispensed when either a dime and a nickel or three nickels are inserted into the vending machine. For this combination of coins, camming screws are screwed into holes 100, 106 and 110. If a dime is supplied to slot 16 and a nickel to slot 20, the screws in holes 110 and 100 ride over the tops of the dime and nickel respectively and into a corresponding guide to enable movement of the coin feeler assembly to its operate position. If three nickels are supplied to slots 20, then the screws in holes and 106 slide over the top of the bottommost nickel and topmost nickel respectively as the coin feeler assembly 70 is moved to the right in FIG. 3. When the screw in the hole 100 slides over the top of the bottommost nickel, it forces the two uppermost nickels upwardly a distance equal to the thickness of the shank of the screw. To compensate for this action the bottom of the guide 44 is designed to be at a level above the top of the topmost nickel (when the coin feeler assembly 70 is in a rest position) by a distance equal to the thickness of the shank of the screws. Thus, when the screw in the hole 100 forces the two uppermost nickels upwardly, the top of the topmost nickel reaches the level of the bottom of the guide 44 enabling the screw in the hole 106 to slide over the top of the topmost nickel into the guide 44. The coin feeler assembly 70 is thereby allowed to move to its operate position. If only a dime is supplied to the slot 16 (no nickels supplied to slot 20), the screw in the hole 100 moves into the toe of the foot of guide 36 preventing further movement of the coin feeler assembly 70. Similarly, if only a nickel or only two nickels are supplied to the slot 20 (no dimes supplied to slot 16), the screws in the holes 106 and 110 move into the toes of the feet of guides 44 and 28 respectively preventing the coin feeler assembly 70 from moving to its operate position.

As described above, by the simple rearrangement of camming screws in the holes of members 66, 68 and 72, different vending prices can be established. That is, the coin feeler assembly 70 can be altered to enable operation of the dispensing mechanism in accordance with various coin combinations supplied to the slots 16 and 20. As is clear from the description, the apparatus for accomplishing this is simple and inexpensive.

As can best be seen in FIG. 2, either side of the platform 54 is formed to define a pair of stepped shoulders and 124 and 128 and 132. As the coin feeler assembly 70 is moved to its operate position, the arm 62 engages and slides over a shoulder 120 of the platform 54 causing the platform to pivot about its pivotal axis defined by the bolt 55 and away from the arm 62 as indicated by the dotted lines 54a in FIG. 2. When pivoted to this position, a coin return mechanism 138 (FIG. 4) is prevented from being operated. This coin return mechanism includes an arm 136 oriented generally perpendicular to the platform 54 and extending from the mechanism 138 below the platform 54 to a point just above the platform. OPeration of the coin return mechanism simply includes moving the mechanism from the position shown in FIG. 4 to the left. This would be effected, for example, by a coin return knob located on the front of the vending machine. When the platform 54 is pivoted to the position indicated by 54a, the arm I36 engages a shoulder 132 of the platform 54 and is prevented by this shoulder from further movement. Since the arm 136 is attached to the coin return mechanism 138, the coin return mechanism is prevented from further movement. In the manner described, commencement of operation of the dispensing mechanism causes the platform 54 to pivot and thereby prevent operation of the coin return mechanism.

Upon completion of operation of the dispensing mechanism and the return of the arm 62 to its initial rest position, a leaf spring 162 forces the platform 54 to pivot back to its normal position shown by solid lines in FIG. 2. The leaf spring 162 is mounted on the plate 8 by any suitable means to extend from the plate downward past one side of the platform 54 to a point below the platform.

When the coin return mechanism 138 is operated by moving the mechanism from its position shown in FIG. 4 to the left, the arm 136 engages and slides over the shoulder 128 (FIG. 2) causing the platform 54 to pivot in a direction away from the arm 136 to a position indicated by the dotted line 54b. In this position, a shoulder 124 of the platform 54 prevents movement of the arm 62 and thus prevents operation of the dispensing mechanism. Thus, when the coin return mechanism is operated, the dispensing mechanism is prevented from being operated. A leaf spring 164 (FIG. 3), mounted on plate 12 in a manner similar to the mounting of leaf spring 162, forces the platform 54 to return to its normal position once the coin return mechanism 138 is returned to its initial position.

A deflection plate 140 is positioned below the platform 54 and is attached to the bottom surface of the platform. The deflection plate 140 is positioned generally perpendicular to the platform 54. When the platform 54 is pivoted in response to operation of the dispensing mechanism, the platform moves out from under the slots 16 and 20 so that any coins therein fall under the weight of gravity and are guided by the deflection plate 140 into a coin retention receptable (not shown). FIG. 6, which is an end view of the vending apparatus taken along line AA of FIG. 5, shows the platform 54 pivoted in response to operation of the dispensing mechanism. In this position, the top of the deflection plate 140 is moved to the right with the movement of the platform 54 so that coins falling from the slots would be deflected to the left by the deflection plate 140.

When the platform 54 is pivoted in response to open ation of the coin return mechanism 138, the platform again is moved out from under the slots 16 and 20 but in the other direction so that any coins therein fall from the slots under the weight of gravity and are deflected by the deflection 140 into a coin return receptacle (not shown). As described, the platform 54 performs the double functions of supporting coins in the slots 16 and 20 and preventing simultaneous operation of the dispensing mechanism and coin return mechanism. The platform 54 together with the deflection plate 140 perform the further function of guiding the coins from the slots into the proper receptacle in response to operation of either the dispensing mechanism or the coin return mechanism.

It is clear from the above description of one illustrative embodiment of the present invention that numerous alternative embodiments and modifications could be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The appended claims are intended to cover all such apparent and obvious modifications.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination in a coin-controlled vending apparatus which includes a dispensing mechanism and a coin return mechanism,

means defining first and second generally vertical slots for receiving coins of a first and second denomination respectively such that two or more coins inserted in a slot are maintained edge to edge one on top of another,

means defining a first guide extending generally horizontally from a point adjacent the first slot and means defining spaced second and third guides extending generally horizontally from points adjacent the second slot, the end of each guide adjacent a slot being formed to define a foot having a heel coinciding with the end termination of the corresponding guide and a toe extending downward from the heel to a point below the guide,

a platform for supporting coins in the slot,

coin feeler means coupled to said dispensing mechanism and movable therewith between a rest position and an operate position and including first, second and third members pivotally mounted on said dispensing mechanism and each having a hole therein, said first and second members being interconnected to pivot in unison when either is pivoted,

a plurality of camming pins insertable in the holes of said first, second and third members to extend within the heel of the foot of the first, second and third guides respectively when the coin feeler means is in the rest position,

said coin feeler means being movable from said rest position to said operate position in response to the operation of said dispensing mechanism when the coin feeler means is in a first configuration in which camming pins are inserted in the holes of said first and second members and when either (a) one coin is inserted in said first slot so that the camming pin in the hole of said first member slides over the top of the coin, causing the first and second members to pivot upwardly, and along the first guide as the coin feeler means is moved or (b) two coins are inserted in said second slot, one on top of the other, so that the camming pin in the hole of said second member slides over the top of the topmost coin, causing the first and second members to pivot upwardly, and along the second guide as the coin feeler means is moved,

said coin feeler means being movable from said rest position to said operate position in response to the operation of said dispensing mechanism when the coin feeler means is in a second configuration in which a camming pin is inserted in the hole of said third member and when one coin is inserted in the said second slot so that the camming pin in the hole of said third member slides over the top of the coin, causing the third member to pivot upwardly, and along the third plate as the coin feeler means is moved,

said coin feeler means preventing operation of said dispensing mechanism (c) when the coin feeler means is in the first configuration and either no coins are inserted in said slots or only a single coin is inserted in said second slot so that as the coin feeler means is moved from the rest position in response to commencement of operation of said dispensing mechanism, the camming pins inserted in the holes of the first and second members are caused to move downwardly into the toe of the foot of the first and second guides respectively to prevent further movement of the coin feeler means and (d) when the coin feeler means in in the sec ond configuration and no coins are inserted in said second slot so that as the coin feeler means is moved from the rest position in response to commencement of operation of said dispensing mechanism, the camming pin inserted in the hole of the third member is caused to move downwardly into the toe of the foot of the third guide to prevent further movement of the coin feeler means, I

means defining a fourth guide spaced above the second and third guides and extending generally horizontally from a point adjacent the second slot, the end of the fourth guide adjacent the slot being formed to define a foot having a heel coinciding with the end termination of the fourth guide and a toe extending downward from the heel to a point below the fourth guide, and wherein said second member has a second hole therein for receiving a camming pin which, when inserted in the second hole, extends within the heel of the foot of the fourth guide when the coin feeler means is in the rest position, said coin feeler means being moveable from said rest position to said operate position in response to the operation of said dispensing mechanism when the coin feeler means is ina third configuration in which camming pins are inserted in the holes of said first and third members and in the second hole of said second member and when either (a) one coin is inserted in said first slot and one coin is inserted in said second slot so that the camming pins in the holes of said first and third members slide over the tops of the coins in the first and second slots respectively, causing the first, second, and third members to pivot upwardly, and along the first and third guides respectively as the coin feeler means is moved or (b) three coins are inserted in said second slot so that the camming pins in the second hole of said second member and in the hole of said third member slides over the tops of the topmost coin and bottommost coin respectively in the second slot, causing the first, second and third members to pivot upwardly, and along the fourth and third guides respectively as the coin feeler means is moved, said coin feeler means preventing operation of said dispensing mechanism when the coin feeler means is in the third configuration and either no coins are inserted in said slot, only a single coin is inserted in said first slot, or only one or two coins are inserted in said second slot so that as the coin feeler means is moved from the rest position in response to commencement of operation of said dispensing mechanism, at least one of the camming pins inserted in the holes is caused to move downwardly into the toe of the foot of a corresponding guide to prevent further movement of the coin feeler means,

and wherein said platform includes lateral extensions on first and second sides thereof and wherein said apparatus further includes a coin return mechanism member coupled to said coin return mechanism for engaging one edge of said platform and causing the platform to pivot in a substantially horizontal plane in a first direction out from under said slots when said coin return mechanism is operated, a dispensing mechanism member coupled to said dispensing mechanism for engaging the other side of said platform causing the platform to pivot in a substantially horizontal plane in a second direction, opposite said first direction, out from under said slots when said dispensing mechanism is operated, the pivoting of said platform in either the first or second direction causing coins in the slots to fall therefrom under gravity, the lateral extension on said first side of said platform preventing movement of said dispensing mechanism member when the platform is pivoted in said first direction and the lateral extension on said second side of said platform preventing movement of said coin return mechanism member when said platform is pivoted in the second direction.

2. Apparatus in claim 1 further including a deflection plate positioned generally in a vertical plane beneath said platform for deflecting coins falling from said slots toward a coin return receptacle when said platform is pivoted in the first direction and for deflecting coins falling from said slots toward a coin retention receptacle when said platform is pivoted in the second direction.

3. In combination in a coin controlled vending apparatus which includes a movable dispensing mechanism and a movable coin return mechanism,

a first plate having a first generally vertically extending groove on one side thereof and a second generally vertically extending groove on the other side thereof,

second and third side plates mounted on either side of said first plate, said second plate having a first generally horizontally extending guide and said third plate having second and third spaced generally horizontally extending guides, one end of each guide formed to define a foot having a heel coincid ing with the end termination of the corresponding guide and a toe extending downwardly from the heel to a point below the guide, the foot of said first guide being positioned contiguous with said first groove and the feet of said second and third guides being positioned contiguous with said second groove,

said second and third plates and the walls of said first and second grooves defining first and second slots respectively, each for receiving coins of a certain predetermined denomination,

a platform positioned beneath said plates to support coins inserted into the slots so that two or more coins inserted into a slot are maintained edge to edge one on top of another, the top of a bottommost coin in the first slot being in substantially the same plane as that defined by the bottom wall of the first guide, the top of a bottommost coin in the second slot being in substantially the same plane as that defined by the bottom wall of the third guide, and the top of a second coin stacked upon a bottommost coin in the second slot being in substantially the same plane as that defined by the bottom wall of the second guide,

coin feeler assembly coupled to said dispensing mechanism and movable therewith in a generally horizontal plane between a rest position and an operate position, said assembly including a first member located adjacent to said second plate, second and third members located adjacent to said third plate, and a coupling means coupling said first and second members together to cause said first and second members to move in substantially parallel paths, each of said members having a hole therein,

a plurality of camming pins insertable in the holes of said first, second and third members to extend within the heel of the foot of the first, second and third guide respectively when said assembly is in the rest position,

said assembly being movable from said rest position to said operate position in response to the operation of said dispensing mechanism when the assembly is in a first configuration in which camming pins are inserted in the holes of said first and second members and when either (a) one coin is inserted in said first slot so that the camming pin in the hole of said first member slides from a position within the heel of the foot of the first guide over the coin and along the first guide as the assembly is moved causing the pin in the hole of said second member to move along said second guide or (b) two coins are inserted in said second slot so that the camming pin in the hole of said second member slides from a position within the heel of the foot of the second guide over the topmost coin and along the second guide as the assembly is moved causing the pin in the hole of said first member to move along said first guide,

said assembly being movable from said rest position to said operate position in response to the operation of said dispensing mechanism when the assembly is in a second configuration in which a camming pin is inserted in the hole of said third member and when one coin is inserted in said second slot so that the camming pin in the hole of said third member slides from a position within the heel of the foot of the third guide over the coin and along the third guide as the assembly is moved,

said assembly preventing operation of said dispensing mechanism when the assembly is in the first configuration and either no coins are inserted in said slots or only a single coin is inserted in said second slot and when the assembly is in the second configuration and no coins are inserted in said slots, so that as the assembly is moved from the rest position in response to commencement of operation of said dispensing mechanism, at least one of the pins inserted in the holes is caused to move into the toe of the foot of a corresponding guide to prevent further movement of the assembly,

said third plate having a fourth generally horizontally extending guide spaced above said second and third guides, one end of said fourth guide being formed to define a foot having a heel coinciding with the end termination of the fourth guide and a toe extending downwardly from the heel and toward a point below the fourth guide, the foot of said fourth guide being positioned contiguous with said second groove,

said second member having a second hole for receiving a camming pin which when inserted in the second hole, extends within the heel of the foot of the fourth guide when said assembly is in the rest position,

said assembly being movable from said rest position to said operate position in response to the operation of said dispensing mechanism when said assembly is in a third configuration in which camming pins are inserted in the holes of said first and third members and in the second hole of said second member and either when (a) three coins are inserted in said second slot so that the camming pin in the hole of said third member slides from a position within the heel of the foot of the third guide over the bottommost coin in the second slot and along the third guide as the assembly is moved and the camming pin in the second hole of said second member slides from the heel of the foot of the fourth guide over the topmost coin in the second slot and along the fourth guide as the assembly is moved causing the pin in the hole of said first member to move along said first guide or (b) when a coin is inserted in said first slot and a coin is inserted in said second slot so that the camming pins inserted in the holes of the first and third members slide over the coins in the first and second slots respectively along the first and third guides respectively as the assembly is moved,

said assembly preventing operation of said dispensing mechanism when the assembly is in said third configuration and either no coins are inserted in said slots, only one coin is inserted in either slot, or only two coins are inserted in either slot, so that as the assembly is moved from the rest position in response to commencement of operation of said dispensing mechanism at least one of the pins inserted in the holes of said members is caused to move into the toe of the foot of a corresponding guide to prevent further movement of the assembly,

and wherein said platform includes lateral extensions on first and second sides thereof, wherein the operation of said coin return mechanism causes said coin return mechanism to engage one edge of said platform causing the platform to pivot in a substantially horizontal plane in a first direction out from under said slot, and wherein the operation of said dispensing mechanism causes said dispensing mechanism to engage the other side of said platform causing the platform to pivot in a substantially horizontal plane in a second direction, opposite said first direction, out from under said slots, the pivoting of said platform in either the first or second direction enabling coins in the slots to fall therefrom under gravity, the lateral extension on said first side of said platform preventing operation of said dispensing mechanism when the platform is pivoted in said first direction and the lateral extension on said second side of said platform preventing operation of said coin return mechanism when said platform is pivoted in the second direction.

4. Apparatus as in claim 3 further including a deflec' tion plate positioned generally in a vertical plane beneath said platform and affixed thereto for deflecting coins falling from said slots in a third direction when said platform is pivoted in the first direction and for deflecting coins falling from said slots in a fourth direction when said platform is pivoted in the second direction. 

1. In combination in a coin-controlled vending apparatus which includes a dispensing mechanism and a coin return mechanism, means defining first and second generally vertical slots for receiving coins of a first and second denomination respectively such that two or more coins inserted in a slot are maintained edge to edge one on top of another, means defining a first guide extending generally horizoNtally from a point adjacent the first slot and means defining spaced second and third guides extending generally horizontally from points adjacent the second slot, the end of each guide adjacent a slot being formed to define a foot having a heel coinciding with the end termination of the corresponding guide and a toe extending downward from the heel to a point below the guide, a platform for supporting coins in the slot, coin feeler means coupled to said dispensing mechanism and movable therewith between a rest position and an operate position and including first, second and third members pivotally mounted on said dispensing mechanism and each having a hole therein, said first and second members being interconnected to pivot in unison when either is pivoted, a plurality of camming pins insertable in the holes of said first, second and third members to extend within the heel of the foot of the first, second and third guides respectively when the coin feeler means is in the rest position, said coin feeler means being movable from said rest position to said operate position in response to the operation of said dispensing mechanism when the coin feeler means is in a first configuration in which camming pins are inserted in the holes of said first and second members and when either (a) one coin is inserted in said first slot so that the camming pin in the hole of said first member slides over the top of the coin, causing the first and second members to pivot upwardly, and along the first guide as the coin feeler means is moved or (b) two coins are inserted in said second slot, one on top of the other, so that the camming pin in the hole of said second member slides over the top of the topmost coin, causing the first and second members to pivot upwardly, and along the second guide as the coin feeler means is moved, said coin feeler means being movable from said rest position to said operate position in response to the operation of said dispensing mechanism when the coin feeler means is in a second configuration in which a camming pin is inserted in the hole of said third member and when one coin is inserted in the said second slot so that the camming pin in the hole of said third member slides over the top of the coin, causing the third member to pivot upwardly, and along the third plate as the coin feeler means is moved, said coin feeler means preventing operation of said dispensing mechanism (c) when the coin feeler means is in the first configuration and either no coins are inserted in said slots or only a single coin is inserted in said second slot so that as the coin feeler means is moved from the rest position in response to commencement of operation of said dispensing mechanism, the camming pins inserted in the holes of the first and second members are caused to move downwardly into the toe of the foot of the first and second guides respectively to prevent further movement of the coin feeler means and (d) when the coin feeler means in in the second configuration and no coins are inserted in said second slot so that as the coin feeler means is moved from the rest position in response to commencement of operation of said dispensing mechanism, the camming pin inserted in the hole of the third member is caused to move downwardly into the toe of the foot of the third guide to prevent further movement of the coin feeler means, means defining a fourth guide spaced above the second and third guides and extending generally horizontally from a point adjacent the second slot, the end of the fourth guide adjacent the slot being formed to define a foot having a heel coinciding with the end termination of the fourth guide and a toe extending downward from the heel to a point below the fourth guide, and wherein said second member has a second hole therein for receiving a camming pin which, when inserted in the second hole, extends within the heel of the foot of the fourth guide when the coin feeler means is in the rest position, said coin feeler means being moVeable from said rest position to said operate position in response to the operation of said dispensing mechanism when the coin feeler means is in a third configuration in which camming pins are inserted in the holes of said first and third members and in the second hole of said second member and when either (a) one coin is inserted in said first slot and one coin is inserted in said second slot so that the camming pins in the holes of said first and third members slide over the tops of the coins in the first and second slots respectively, causing the first, second, and third members to pivot upwardly, and along the first and third guides respectively as the coin feeler means is moved or (b) three coins are inserted in said second slot so that the camming pins in the second hole of said second member and in the hole of said third member slides over the tops of the topmost coin and bottommost coin respectively in the second slot, causing the first, second and third members to pivot upwardly, and along the fourth and third guides respectively as the coin feeler means is moved, said coin feeler means preventing operation of said dispensing mechanism when the coin feeler means is in the third configuration and either no coins are inserted in said slot, only a single coin is inserted in said first slot, or only one or two coins are inserted in said second slot so that as the coin feeler means is moved from the rest position in response to commencement of operation of said dispensing mechanism, at least one of the camming pins inserted in the holes is caused to move downwardly into the toe of the foot of a corresponding guide to prevent further movement of the coin feeler means, and wherein said platform includes lateral extensions on first and second sides thereof and wherein said apparatus further includes a coin return mechanism member coupled to said coin return mechanism for engaging one edge of said platform and causing the platform to pivot in a substantially horizontal plane in a first direction out from under said slots when said coin return mechanism is operated, a dispensing mechanism member coupled to said dispensing mechanism for engaging the other side of said platform causing the platform to pivot in a substantially horizontal plane in a second direction, opposite said first direction, out from under said slots when said dispensing mechanism is operated, the pivoting of said platform in either the first or second direction causing coins in the slots to fall therefrom under gravity, the lateral extension on said first side of said platform preventing movement of said dispensing mechanism member when the platform is pivoted in said first direction and the lateral extension on said second side of said platform preventing movement of said coin return mechanism member when said platform is pivoted in the second direction.
 2. Apparatus as in claim 1 further including a deflection plate positioned generally in a vertical plane beneath said platform for deflecting coins falling from said slots toward a coin return receptacle when said platform is pivoted in the first direction and for deflecting coins falling from said slots toward a coin retention receptacle when said platform is pivoted in the second direction.
 3. In combination in a coin controlled vending apparatus which includes a movable dispensing mechanism and a movable coin return mechanism, a first plate having a first generally vertically extending groove on one side thereof and a second generally vertically extending groove on the other side thereof, second and third side plates mounted on either side of said first plate, said second plate having a first generally horizontally extending guide and said third plate having second and third spaced generally horizontally extending guides, one end of each guide formed to define a foot having a heel coinciding with the end termination of the corresponding guide and a toe extending downwardly from the heel to a point below the guide, the foot of said first guide being positioned contiguous with said first groove and the feet of said second and third guides being positioned contiguous with said second groove, said second and third plates and the walls of said first and second grooves defining first and second slots respectively, each for receiving coins of a certain predetermined denomination, a platform positioned beneath said plates to support coins inserted into the slots so that two or more coins inserted into a slot are maintained edge to edge one on top of another, the top of a bottommost coin in the first slot being in substantially the same plane as that defined by the bottom wall of the first guide, the top of a bottommost coin in the second slot being in substantially the same plane as that defined by the bottom wall of the third guide, and the top of a second coin stacked upon a bottommost coin in the second slot being in substantially the same plane as that defined by the bottom wall of the second guide, a coin feeler assembly coupled to said dispensing mechanism and movable therewith in a generally horizontal plane between a rest position and an operate position, said assembly including a first member located adjacent to said second plate, second and third members located adjacent to said third plate, and a coupling means coupling said first and second members together to cause said first and second members to move in substantially parallel paths, each of said members having a hole therein, a plurality of camming pins insertable in the holes of said first, second and third members to extend within the heel of the foot of the first, second and third guide respectively when said assembly is in the rest position, said assembly being movable from said rest position to said operate position in response to the operation of said dispensing mechanism when the assembly is in a first configuration in which camming pins are inserted in the holes of said first and second members and when either (a) one coin is inserted in said first slot so that the camming pin in the hole of said first member slides from a position within the heel of the foot of the first guide over the coin and along the first guide as the assembly is moved causing the pin in the hole of said second member to move along said second guide or (b) two coins are inserted in said second slot so that the camming pin in the hole of said second member slides from a position within the heel of the foot of the second guide over the topmost coin and along the second guide as the assembly is moved causing the pin in the hole of said first member to move along said first guide, said assembly being movable from said rest position to said operate position in response to the operation of said dispensing mechanism when the assembly is in a second configuration in which a camming pin is inserted in the hole of said third member and when one coin is inserted in said second slot so that the camming pin in the hole of said third member slides from a position within the heel of the foot of the third guide over the coin and along the third guide as the assembly is moved, said assembly preventing operation of said dispensing mechanism when the assembly is in the first configuration and either no coins are inserted in said slots or only a single coin is inserted in said second slot and when the assembly is in the second configuration and no coins are inserted in said slots, so that as the assembly is moved from the rest position in response to commencement of operation of said dispensing mechanism, at least one of the pins inserted in the holes is caused to move into the toe of the foot of a corresponding guide to prevent further movement of the assembly, said third plate having a fourth generally horizontally extending guide spaced above said second and third guides, one end of said fourth guide being formed to define a foot having a heel coinciding with the end termination of the fourth guide and a toe extending downwardly froM the heel and toward a point below the fourth guide, the foot of said fourth guide being positioned contiguous with said second groove, said second member having a second hole for receiving a camming pin which when inserted in the second hole, extends within the heel of the foot of the fourth guide when said assembly is in the rest position, said assembly being movable from said rest position to said operate position in response to the operation of said dispensing mechanism when said assembly is in a third configuration in which camming pins are inserted in the holes of said first and third members and in the second hole of said second member and either when (a) three coins are inserted in said second slot so that the camming pin in the hole of said third member slides from a position within the heel of the foot of the third guide over the bottommost coin in the second slot and along the third guide as the assembly is moved and the camming pin in the second hole of said second member slides from the heel of the foot of the fourth guide over the topmost coin in the second slot and along the fourth guide as the assembly is moved causing the pin in the hole of said first member to move along said first guide or (b) when a coin is inserted in said first slot and a coin is inserted in said second slot so that the camming pins inserted in the holes of the first and third members slide over the coins in the first and second slots respectively along the first and third guides respectively as the assembly is moved, said assembly preventing operation of said dispensing mechanism when the assembly is in said third configuration and either no coins are inserted in said slots, only one coin is inserted in either slot, or only two coins are inserted in either slot, so that as the assembly is moved from the rest position in response to commencement of operation of said dispensing mechanism at least one of the pins inserted in the holes of said members is caused to move into the toe of the foot of a corresponding guide to prevent further movement of the assembly, and wherein said platform includes lateral extensions on first and second sides thereof, wherein the operation of said coin return mechanism causes said coin return mechanism to engage one edge of said platform causing the platform to pivot in a substantially horizontal plane in a first direction out from under said slot, and wherein the operation of said dispensing mechanism causes said dispensing mechanism to engage the other side of said platform causing the platform to pivot in a substantially horizontal plane in a second direction, opposite said first direction, out from under said slots, the pivoting of said platform in either the first or second direction enabling coins in the slots to fall therefrom under gravity, the lateral extension on said first side of said platform preventing operation of said dispensing mechanism when the platform is pivoted in said first direction and the lateral extension on said second side of said platform preventing operation of said coin return mechanism when said platform is pivoted in the second direction.
 4. Apparatus as in claim 3 further including a deflection plate positioned generally in a vertical plane beneath said platform and affixed thereto for deflecting coins falling from said slots in a third direction when said platform is pivoted in the first direction and for deflecting coins falling from said slots in a fourth direction when said platform is pivoted in the second direction. 